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The obesity paradox in cancer: clinical insights and perspectives

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Abstract

A series of evidence demonstrated that obesity represents an established risk factor for an increase in the incidence of multiple cancer types and for poor cancer survival. Nevertheless, recent studies suggested that, in a series of cancers, patients with a normal body mass index (BMI) have worse outcomes than obese patients. This phenomenon, named ‘obesity paradox’ or ‘reverse epidemiology’ in cancer, is not well understood and presents controversial aspects. Therefore, this review aims to explore the available studies concerning the relationship between obesity and cancer incidence or survival and to highlight the hypothetical explanations and the methodological framework. In this regard, we underline the limits of BMI as a potential marker of adiposity and the relevance to assessing body composition, beyond the body size. Further studies are needed to define the impact of obesity in cancer patients, to tailor weight management after cancer diagnosis and to hopefully improve overall clinical outcome.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are supported by a grant of the Lega Italiana contro i Tumori (LILT-Bando di ricerca sanitaria 2016–5 × 1000 anno 2014).

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Correspondence to Emilio Bria.

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I.T., L.C. C.B., and G.T. declare that they have no conflict of interest. E.B. received honoraria or speakers’ fee from MSD, Astra-Zeneca, Celgene, Pfizer, Helsinn, Eli-Lilly, BMS, Novartis, and Roche, and he received research support from A.I.R.C. (Associazione Italiana Ricerca sul Cancro), I.A.S.L.C. (International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer), L.I.L.T. (Lega Italiana per la Lotta contro i Tumori), Fondazione Cariverona, Astra-Zeneca, Roche, and Open Innovation.

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Ilaria Trestini and Luisa Carbognin share first co-authorship.

GiampaoloTortora and Emilio Bria share last co-authorship.

This article is part of topical collection on Obesity Paradox.

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Trestini, I., Carbognin, L., Bonaiuto, C. et al. The obesity paradox in cancer: clinical insights and perspectives. Eat Weight Disord 23, 185–193 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-018-0489-y

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